Gadzooki

Logitech V550 Nano mouse

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Logitech is again defining great strategies that ups the usability of the humble computer mouse.  The Logitech V550 Nano mouse features a really small receiver that you just plug into your USB drive, and literally forget it’s there.  Battery lasts for a a hefty 18-months, which I think is a primary concern.

Here’s a brief run-through of features and specifications:

Clip-and-Go dock: Allows you to clip your mouse to your notebook—and go. Easy-to-attach, easy-to-remove dock is compatible with all notebooks. Now, you’ll have one less thing to carry.

Plug-and-Forget Nano-receiver: Barely larger than a coin, the Nano-receiver is so small that once you plug it into your notebook, you can forget about it. Your mouse is always ready to use. 
 
18 months of battery life: Virtually eliminates the hassle of changing batteries.* The On/Off button saves power. Plus, the mouse automatically turns off when docked to your notebook.

Storable Plug-and-Forget Nano-receiver: Store the Nano-receiver inside the mouse, if necessary. When stored inside the battery compartment, the mouse turns off automatically. 
 
Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless: Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless dramatically reduces interference with 300 times faster data rate.** Virtually no delays or dropouts—even in the busiest wireless environments. Enjoy all the benefits of a cord with the convenience of cordless. 
 
Hyper-fast scrolling: Fly through long documents and Web pages as fast as you want to—one spin goes through up to 10,000 lines of a spreadsheet in seven seconds. Or, shift into click-to-click mode for more control with lists, slides, or photos. You’ll never go back to an ordinary scroll wheel.

Laser precision: Gives you more control than optical mice. Laser technology delivers smoother cursor control on virtually any surface.*** You’ll be more productive wherever you use your laptop.

Lenovo W700’s built in Wacom Tablet

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I know what you’re saying “hey, is that a Wacom Tablet there!”.  Well, yes it is.  Lenovo‘s ThinkPad W700 is a 17″ marvel that sports a built-in Wacom digitizer.  Dutifully aimed for the graphics industry it would seem it is a good “idea”.  While I am just not too sure about the right palm rest, for me, it is a little “out there” but I could see myself using this too.  Anything that would make me work well with my graphics programs (PhotoShop or CorelDraw) without requiring me to add more to my bag, well is an ace.

While I do not see this model at Lenovo.com yet, the Lenovo ThinkPad W700 will be available just in time for Thanksgiving.  Somewhere within September starting at around US$3,000 for the base model, add more for plus features.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – August 12, 2008: Lenovo today introduced the ThinkPad W700, a 17-inch widescreen mobile workstation engineered with game-changing technologies and innovations to exceed the demands of the most data and graphics-intensive users. Lenovo brings the industry’s first built-in digitizer and color calibrator to a mobile workstation and combines these innovations with first-in-market technologies such as new NVIDIA® Quadro FX mobile graphics and supporting the upcoming Intel® mobile quad core processor. Other features such as optional dual hard drives with RAID configurations, up to 8 GB of high speed DDR3 memory, a range of wireless connectivity options and excellent multimedia capabilities including an optional Blu-ray™ DVD burner/player make the ThinkPad W700 mobile workstation the standard-bearer for power and performance in a mobile workstation.

Ultimate Gaming Table

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Are you losing precious desk space for your additional PC toys?  Sure, you’ve got a huge desk and for now it all works well.  I think you need to check out the Ultimate Gaming Table below.

 

 

This set-up keeps all your gears within reach and looking really cool.  Top shelves for those three LCDs (gaming, work and the MTV channel).  And check out the second shelves, your blue tooth keyboard mouse and that gaming wheel for those lazy kick back moments.

This is sold here  and surprisingly for just US$379, initially for Continental USA at the moment.

If you have everything on eye level, you’d definitely appreciate this table to boost everything to visible access.  The only thing I’m missing here is wehre to place my hot cup of Java!  Or maybe if it is available in other colors or two to three-tone combination perhaps.  Oh, my mind is seeing endless possibilities.

Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard

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When I saw this keyboard at ThinkGeek I said “wow… now this is such a cool concept!”.  Each of the 430 keys are programmable to display the color you wish.  There is a neat setup utility that will quickly guide you to light this baby up to your liking.  I think this is perfect for gaming cafes, you know, most of these cafes have dim lights and all for mood effects.  The Luxeed LED keyboard will surely add more to the drama.

It is available in either white or black finish and retails at about US$199.99 each.  I am sure you’re thinking “man that’s an arm and a leg for a keyboard!” considering that you can get regular keyboards for under US$10 bucks.  But I’ll come right back at ‘ya to say “but does your keyboard have cutesy LED lights. 🙂  I don’t think so.

I’m not really sure though if the LEDs lasts a long time… or if it will heat up my hand for comfort… maybe I’d wait for user reviews before I get one of these.  But hey, if you’ve got money to burn and since the holidays are near us… get this for your geek right now!

Here are the specs:

# Amazing illuminated keyboard features 430 LEDs and can dynamically change the color of each key
# Set each key to any color, or turn the light off on that key
# Create custom illuminated key layouts and quickly switch between them with 4 preset buttons
# Save key layouts on your hard drive and recall them later
# Features animated rainbow effect, or animated random key colors
# “Spark” mode allows keys to illuminate only when pressed
# Keypad Connects to Keyboard with included cable
# Keypad does not illuminate, only the full Keyboard
# Standard USB connection
# Keyboard Dimensions: 15″ x 7.5″ x 1″
# Keypad Dimensions: 4.25″ x 7.5″ x 1″
# Software Requires Windows XP or Vista (The Luxeed can function on other OS such as Mac or Linux as a regular USB keyboard, but the keys will not light up.)

Giant Digital Clock w CD Holder

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Someone from HongKong knows how to live like a geek!  Check out this giant digital clock which also functions as a cool CD holder.  I think the geeky bachelor will find this an awesome add to his collection.  I wonder if it has it in cool blue or digital green colors instead of just the usual red.  I feel like it’s a stop watch or a countdown timer! 🙂  But that’s just me.

Size is 73 x 13 x 36 cm so it maybe a little too large for the typical bachelor’s pad.  If you’re a minimalist, you’d surely get turned off as the size will affect your zen in a way.

It is available for purchase online, but be prepared to add a little extra for shipping as it is only available from HongKong at the moment. Check out their website right here.

Sooo, if you’d like to impress the typical geek with a new apartment or a new office this will make him smile from ear to ear.

Don’t throw that old hard drive away

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I was just going through my boxes in the attic and found stacks of old 4GB, 20GB and 40GB hard drives.  I don’t really know if they still work and do not care at all about the data in them.  Should I donate these to charity, oh that would be a tongue-in-cheek deal.  No use really for these old relics but the big garbage pile going to the dump.

Here’s a cool concept I found and all it takes are diamond screwdrivers and say about an hour of your time. An afternoon project probably with your 10 year old.

Windchimes using the  your old hard disk platters!  How cool is that.  The finished product, I feel, is safe to be hooked up the backyard tree house.  Or the old porch perhaps to give it a little digital feel?  Try it out.  Open those old useless hard drives and make an afternoon with your sons, memorable.

ProTouch for the Mighty Mouse and Keyboard

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Well, at least for me it doesn’t get any better than this.  I just hoped the keyboard skin has other color tones aside from the sonic blue.  The Mighty Mouse skin comes in variants of sonic blue, blush red, sahara orange, kiwi green, arctic white & eclipse black.

I’ve had my fair share of spills, crumbs and what-have-nots stuck in most inaccessible places my wife says I’m hopeless!  “Don’t drink coffee, don’t eat a cookie”  but how can you avoid such wonders when you frequently access the internet thru cafes, you tell me.

No wonder I get the little insects bugging me… whoooaaa!  Not too often do I get to clean or vaccum my gear, so I guess since I couldn’t stop the beverage craves… this is a good deal for me.

These sell right here , the “Pro Touch for the Mighty Mouse” given at US$19.99 and the “Pro Touch for the Apple keyboard (wired/wireless) given at US$29.99.

If you’re like me, you’d better get one.  An Apple Keyboard replacement sells for US$49 and the Mighty Mouse for US$69.  I know the skins almost cost half the price of the gear, but since this penny-pinching season with the recession, rising gas prices and cost of living… hey, every cent is worth saving.

iBeer for the iPhone

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OK, now for those who’s really REALLY disappointed with their new iPhone 3G’s due to sooo many hicups and snags… well, here’s another iPhone ap which I’m not really sure “helps” at all.  From a DVice lead, I found out iBeer 2.0 from hottrix.

Brew and drink beer on your iPhone and iPod touch.  This hilarious sight-gag is fully interactive and behaves like a real glass of beer thanks to the iPhone sensors and our spare time. Tilt to sip, shake for foam, even pour iBeer from iPhone to iPhone.

It is available for download via iTunes, and believe it or not, they’re asking money for it!  US$2.99 will give you your personal virtual beer fix on the dot.  Catch the video commercial below:

 

Also available is iMilk.  Same scene that is more white than yellow.  Actually developed as a gag, a party gadget that can start a conversation or two.  Not bad at all if you want to throw money, cheap actually. Sooo… hey, go for it!

 

Wake up… Shape up!

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I have to admit I was a little amused by the idea of an alarm clock waking me up with an annoying buzz sound only to keep on buzzing UNTIL I do 30 reps.  Designed by Yuk Wang, this novelty alarm clock shaped as a dumbbell has a simple LCD display of a clock on one end.  Found this gym treasure right here and here.

Gym buffs would surely appreciate the uncanny way of starting up a great day at the gym.  The question that needs answering is that would you want to wake up to 30 reps everytime!  Forget about throwing this “clock” out the window too.  It may not be too wise to keep this near you all the time.

At the moment, I do not see any online store carrying this product yet.  But this just screams SPONSORS does it?  I could just imagine a power bar graphic accross the middle… or powercookies! Yum!

 

 

Logitech PlayGear Pocket

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I own a Sony PSP slim and a Nintendo DS lite.  I bought these awesome gadgets to keep me company specially during long trips, sleepless nights, while in-between flights… everywhere I find myself idle.  Now believe me if I tell you I’ve tried looking for perfect sturdy (flashy) cases for my babies.  I almost tried everyone of them.  At the end of the day, I still find myself unhappy with what I’ve got.  This until I saw the Logitech Play Gear Pocket and the Logitech Play Gear Pocket for the Nintendo DS Light.

Such a sweet deal for roughly US$20 each they provide a sturdy and flashy home for your play gears.  You can purchase them online right here. CNet has reviewed them really well too, same page.

For the DS-Lite case, you’d see there is provision for 4 cartridges in the top fold.  And as you can see above, your toys have snuggle fit, making sure they’re safe and scratch free from the elements. 

The only *drawback I see here is that some people use clear skins and clear hard cases.  That would definitely have to go if you would use Logitech’s.  Otherwise, these are perfect for you.